MESSAGES of support for a North-East paedophile hunting group have flooded in following the death of one of the co-founders in a tragic accident.

Dark Justice has announced it will no longer be operating after the sudden loss of Callum, who formed the crime-fighting team with Scott in 2014.

The duo caught over 100 paedophiles by collecting evidence from men who try to engage children in explicit online chats before arranging to meet for sex.

The men, who travel to the region from all over the country, are confronted by the team with a video camera and the evidence of their sick crimes before police intervene and put them before the courts.

One man from Darlington arranged to meet a 13-year-girl to take her virginity only to be met by the team.

Mark Thornton, who was 50, was found sitting in his car waiting for the girl during a sting in 2016 and had already sent a picture of his penis.

He was sentenced two years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

The Northern Echo:

Mark Thornton 

News that Callum had died recently in a what was described as a ‘tragic accident’ was met with sadness from Dark Justice supporters on their Facebook page.

Louise Cowan said: “I feel truly heartbroken.

“I have followed you both over the last seven years, and have been so grateful for the magnificent work that you have done.”

Another Dark Justice case involved Paul Middleton, a 54-year-old, from Lincolnshire, who was sentenced to six years in custody, after messaging a decoy, who he believed was a 13-year-old girl called Amy.

He asked her to send naked pictures of herself and revealed that the youngest girl he had a sexual encounter with was just 12 years old.

On hearing the news about Callum, supporter Louise Lauchlan said: “So sorry to hear this. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Thank you for all you have done to keep our children safe over the years you have no idea how greatly appreciated it is.”

Robyn Frances said: “So sorry and sad to hear this. The service you men have provided the country with is unforgettable.”

Carly Knox added: “That’s so sad. I’m so sorry for your loss. RIP Callum. Thank you so much for everything that you have done to protect our children over the years.”

The group has become well known across the country and appeared on television shows including Newsnight and This Morning with their identities hidden.

The Northern Echo:

Members of Dark Justice

Two years ago, Dark Justice hit back after the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for online child abuse activist groups, Assistant Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic, said the groups were not always acting in the children's best interests, and in some cases they could be detrimental to the police's work.

The group said there would not be a need for so-called ‘vigilante’ action of the police was doing more to stop the online grooming of children.

But now Scott has told followers the work of Dark Justice would no longer be able to continue.

The full post reads: "This is the hardest post I have ever had to make.

"It is with great sadness I have to announce that Callum the co-founder of Dark Justice sadly lost his life in a tragic accident.

"Myself and his family are very upset and broken by this tragic news.

"And with that I need to tell you that I will also be stepping away from Dark Justice I have tried to think of a way to continue but sadly without my best friend I can't see myself continuing.

"I would like to thank you all for the amazing support you have shown us over the last seven years and a ‘thank you’ to all the other groups out there fighting for the rights of children and in the words of Callum "go get em lads!"

"Rest easy bro until we meet again."